After a relatively restrained number of openings in 2024,* Winnipeg’s restaurant scene for 2025 is already looking set to impress.
Below we profile the unique, locally owned restaurants that opened in late-2024 and a few spots that have already been rocking this calendar year.
Dig in!
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Isekai Ramen – Former owners of Dwarf no Cachette are back at 1039 Cathedral Ave
Yasuko and Takekuni Akimoto are already back with a room full of ramen that’s even kawaii-er than their previous location, the much-adored Dwarf no Cachette.
After briefly returning to Japan for more inspiration after having to shut Dwarf in October, the couple, who are both from Tokyo but met in Winnipeg in the early 00s, have taken over the former storefront of Kreamy Keyk & Co (which has moved to 1437 Arlington St.) between Garden City and The Maples. True to its name, the room has been transformed into another world (the meaning of Isekai, the owners’ favourite genre of anime and games) –– this one featuring glittering faux stain glass windows that project rainbows into a dining room with sturdy wood tables and plenty of dwarves and fungi statues as we’ve come to expect from the Akimotos.
Staying true to theme, the ramen-focused menu is bound in leather with dish titles like Dwarf’s Hiding Tree (a potato salad with broccoli and onion flakes); Dark Elf Dragon Mazesoba (a dry noodle dish brimming with umami elements); Phoenix Volcano ramen (a chicken and tomato-based ramen with spicy cheese sauce); and the Elf’s Garden ramen with its buttery miso base featuring pork and chicken stock, tofu katsu cakes, and edible wafer butterflies.
They even have an epilogue about the restaurant on Instagram with details that Tolkien/Discworld/RPG fans will love. Needless to say, you could show up dressed like a wizard or sorceress and no one would bat an eye.
Isekai Ramen is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, 4:30 to 9 p.m., Sundays for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Here’s the website.
Select Start – Arcade Resto-lounge at 110 Market Ave, 2nd floor
The most hotly anticipated opening in the Exchange District in quite some time, Select Start is tucked away on the second floor in the Saddlery building –– which is fitting, as this place is something straight out of Tokyo. This futuristic-yet-retro world was designed by Fireside (whose restaurant credits include Harth, Rosé, Parcel Pizza, Nonsuch Brewery’s main dining room, and the forthcoming Baby Baby), and once you enter through an electric blue mirrored hallway, you’re sure to be dazzled.
From Donkey Kong and Golden Axe to Street Fighter II Turbo and NBA Jam – this 'barcade" is filled with classic arcade games –– if they bring in Virtua Fighter 2 or Tekken 3 I will demolish all you readers –– along with cozy little corners to enjoy 'bytes' like spicy chicken baos or spam fries. Larger 'bytes' include items like pan fried ramen, chicken burgers and a chickpea Thai curry, as well as some tasty desserts. From the circular bar you’ll also find a fun little cocktail menu.
Select Start is open Sunday to Thursday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.. Here’s the website.
Tall Grass Prairie sprouts up in Saint-Boniface at 390 Provencher Blvd
Tall Grass Prairie sur la Seine, the third location for the city’s storied, local-wheat-advocating bakery opened on February 3.
Regular readers will note that co-owner Tabitha Langel is one of our favourite people in this whole city (here’s an article and video with her from 2020 when the company celebrated 20 years that details its history) as Tall Grass pioneered so many things like milling wheat onsite (much of it heritage varieties like Red Fife) while supporting small-scale organic farmers. They have also trained so many local bakers who have gone on to open their own shops.
The new location –– hidden past a strip mall behind another icon, Resto Gare Bistro and Train Bar (turn into the Shell station and keep heading down that lane all the way to the end) –– has all the bakery and Tall Grass Pantry staples, from fresh baked breads, pastries and cinnamon buns, to spreads, pickled vegetables and frozen soups to take home. There’s also a few little bistro tables to eat in.
Tall Grass Prairie sur la Seine is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Here’s the website.
Emparepas Treats - Colombian cuisine in The Exchange at 48 Albert Street
The storied little spot in the Royal Albert Hotel building that last housed the Filipino tiki bar Bahay Kubo has gone Colombian. Emparepas Treats is by Marcela Galindo and her husband Nestor Ceròn, who moved to Winnipeg from Colombia in 2007. After garnering rave-reviews from the city’s Latin community for their catering and food company, the duo finally has a restaurant to call their own where you can get excellent arepas, empanadas, patacón pisao (open-faced fried plantain sandwiches that slap), and Colombian-style chorizo served in a variety of ways.
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Full menu is on the website here.
Belle’s Kitchen + Music Hall – Counter service southern cooking at 1212 Nairn Ave
Another proudly Winnipeg company, Princess Auto Group (whose culinary portfolio includes Empty Cup Collective, La Belle Baguette and Trans Canada Brewing) is behind the city’s newest barbecue and live music joint. Located just across the street from Empty Cup’s flagship roastery in the Elmwood/Transcona area, Belle’s opened in late-November and is already so popular they’ve added more seats this past month to accommodate the crowds.
It's a counter service establishment with open seating (in that, if the table isn’t occupied, you should grab it before someone else does), whose friendly, fast staff are paid respectable wages –– so tipping is not allowed. The Southern menu is all about smoked meats, with beef brisket, spare ribs, chicken with chili butter, and pulled pork available by the pound and half pound. Sides include buttermilk potato salad, vinegar-based or creamy slaw, baked beans, and mac & cheese, while everything can also be platter-ed up. The taps pour Trans Canada beers, there’s the choice of either “cheap booze” or “good booze” for your mixed drinks (you can also get a $20 Patron marg), while you’ll also find non-alcoholic beer, seltzers, wine, and a selection of bourbons and ryes.
Open Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with live music daily from 12 p.m. to close. Here’s the website.
saintuary – hip café attached to barbershop at 1-123 James Ave
If you are in the East Exhange and looking for a cool little café (for instance, if you are staying at the Mere Hotel), saintuary has you covered. Attached to owner Scott Ramos’ Saint barbershop and salon, in a space bathed in light with its large windows, saintuary has all your classic cafe drinks –– including the most verdant ceremonial matcha you’ve ever seen.
The tidy little menu of breakfast dishes, which has been designed by chef Eejay Chua (who recently was Austin Granados’ sous chef when the duo made a strong showing at the Canadian Culinary Championship), features dishes like overnight oats with mango pearls and chia (it’s super delicious) and bright loaded bagel and croissant dishes. The space also regularly plays host to fun events like Latin dance classes, art shows, and DJs spinning. Learn more about this hot spot from our friends at The Exchange District Biz.
Open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Here’s the website.
Ashdown Flavours – new tiny lunch spot in Ashdown Market at 171 Bannatyne Ave
Also in the East Exchange at Ashdown Market, the area’s favourite little bodega, a little cafe was unveiled on February 14 that is already proving quite popular at lunch (albeit, it does only have two tables). The eclectic menu of Ashdown Flavours has curries, several different types of eggrolls, wraps, pupusas and some signature tacos served on taqueria-sized flour tortillas. This means that all under one roof you can now get groceries, have a hot lunch, and buy cannabis. And if that wasn’t enough, as of February 28 Ashdown Market is now selling wine and beer too! What a world!
Ashdown Market is open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight. Here's the website.
Forgotten Flavours – Outstanding bread again on shelves at 858 Corydon Ave
The former home of Pennyloaf Bakery once again has bread on its shelves –– and wow, what bread it is! Forgotten Flavours started in Niverville, MB by couple Maria and Chris Holbrow as a side project back in 2022. Maria’s bread quickly became crazy popular, with the couple routinely selling out at all the local farmers’ markets. They expanded out of the commercial kitchen in their home in February 2024, and are now producing plenty of breads in a 5,000 square foot facility in Niverville, selling much of it on Corydon Avenue after taking over the lease in November 2024.
And why is this bread so popular? Because it's made using wild yeast and fermented for 48-hours before baking. The result is outstanding, like a sourdough turned up to 11. The crust is thin and crisp like the top of crème brûlée and the inside is so airy, with all these tiny little pockets to catch things like butter or aioli to create the base of a rave-worthy open-faced breakfast sandwich. The shelves flaunt varieties like oats and honey, and an onion and garlic one that makes the best grilled cheese (once that cheese starts melting some will make its way through the little holes and voila, your sandwich is now dotted in cheese skirt). Seriously, this bread rules, plus most of the pastries do too, particularly the apple Danish thing we had the other day. They are also making wild fermented pastas that have so much tang (the dough is also fermented for 48 hours before drying) that go well with a nice light cream sauce as the pasta itself provides the acidity.
If you are sensitive to gluten, you’ll also note that these breads and pastas are gentle on your digestive system, which is a huge bonus. Chris, a super nice guy who is always up for a chat when he’s behind the counter, also tells us to try their new baguettes, as Maria has finally perfected that recipe too using the wild yeast.
Forgotten Flavours on Corydon is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here’s the website.
Dave and LaVerne's Modern Diner – former Pizza Hut now cool diner at 15 Lakewood Blvd
Winnipeg’s southeast just got a serious flavour boost with Dave and LaVerne’s Modern Diner, a retro-inspired spot with a modern twist in a former Pizza Hut in Southdale (15 Lakewood Blvd, just off Fermor).
This diner is a whole vibe, already attracting a loyal crowd. It features retro striped chairs and vintage TV boxes framing mounted screens along with a menu offering pastrami Reubens, a juicy Philly Dunk, crispy Brussels with whipped feta and the ultimate Oklahoma smash burger. Don’t skip the boozy bourbon vanilla pecan shake for dessert.
They don’t do traditional breakfast, so plan for brunch or dinner. The extensive drink menu features their exclusive Lakewood Lager and daily specials, plus happy hour from 2–5 p.m. & 9 p.m.–late daily. Check Instagram for more details.
Brought to you by True Hospitality whose portfolio includes Junction 59 Roadhouse, James Avenue Pumphouse, Cibo Waterfront Café and Bistro 330, Dave and LaVerne’s has been buzzing since opening. Reservations are recommended.
Dave and LaVerne’s is open. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday to Saturday,11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Sundays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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More new rooms to check out are Né de Loup (here's a full review), along with Shirley’s in Osborne Village (here's that review too). We'll also have a feature article on the much anticipated Baby Baby (Shirley's neighbour) by the Clementine crew later this month, as it opens on March 14.
*That lede aside, of course huge props to Crumb Queen/Andy’s Lunch, which was named one of Canada’s best new restaurants for 2024.
